3. Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport: The Economic Action Plan

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:28 pm on 12 December 2017.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 3:28, 12 December 2017

Can I thank Rhianon Passmore for the questions that she has offered, and also for the determination that she's shown in terms of delivering a reopened Cwmcarn forest drive? I think that would contribute to the place-building objectives of the local authority, and indeed the Member herself—. I'm keen that I and my colleague in Government Dafydd Elis-Thomas take forward, if possible, the proposals to reopen the forest drive, potentially through an investment aligned with the Year of Discovery in 2019. 

In terms of steel, no matter how much money we throw at the steel sector, unless it can be globally competitive, ultimately, at some point, it will fail. Therefore, our investment in the future has to be aligned to those calls to action to decarbonise and therefore to become more energy efficient. Investment in research and development brings new products to market sooner and products are facing shorter lifespans: the cycle of a product is shortening by the day. Therefore, our investment in the sector, as with many other sectors, has to be based on making it more competitive and futureproofing it from competition around the world.